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ODM’s city politician and deputy majority whip in the Nairobi county assembly has been discharged from the hospital two weeks after he was admitted following a reign of terror visited on him by hooded security operatives /policemen.
Following Azimio’s call for peaceful demonstrations across the nation occasioned by the high cost of living as a result of the insensitive finance act, the youthful Stazo easily became a target by the state due to his huge following amongst city youths.
The upper Savanna MCA is amongst the ODM leaders who command a national appeal. Coming from Embakasi East constituency of Nairobi which incidentally is represented by the eloquent and tough talking Hon Babu Owino, the state believed that the two were capable of bringing Nairobi to a halt hence the crack down that saw Babu held incommunicado for days.
I am happy to be alive after a close shave with death from those who are supposed to protect us, it was a cowardly act and subversion of our constitution to assault, meime, detain in -communicado or shoot un-armed protestors
As Babu Owino was cooling his feet in an Unknown location, hooded state agents descended on Stazo Omung’ala as he enjoyed his lunch together with another ODM city chairman Hon George Aladwa the Makadara MP. The MP however outwitted the cops and disappeared in the thin air.
Stazo speaks of his ordeal in the hands of his tormentors.
“I was just having some late lunch with my county party boss Hon Aladwa at Mama Oliech’s restaurant on Marcus Garvey road as we discussed party matters. We started seeing some mean looking guys walk in and out of the eatery. Since Hon Babu Owino and a few of our colleagues in Azimio had been abducted and held in communicado, my gut feelings told me that we weren’t safe there and we started making undercover exit plans. Hon Aladwa managed to vanish in the thin air much to the chagrin of the hooded gang of policemen who had packed their Subaru’s outside ready to have a go at us. On realizing that Aladwa had outsmarted them, the gang charged at me but I demanded that they atleast Identify themselves since they were not in official attire. My demands fell on deaf ears as they rained blows on me. Within no time I was in a pool of blood and even the cries from the staff at Mama Oliech’s restaurant could not deter them from their heneous act. At one time I passed out but since the guys were determined to either kill me or inflict life long injuries, they bundled me in their subaru boot and dumped me somewhere in Kiambu. Bloody, weak and properly beaten with pain all over my body, some Godsend Samaritan recognized me, rushed me to a nearby hospital before alerting my ODM colleagues who moved with speed to have me transferred to a better and secure medical facility. Were it not for their swift response, I would have died. I remain indebted to my party leader the Rt Hon Raila Odinga who despite the fact that he was battling a flu, he was constantly on call checking on my progress while in hospital. I cannot thank enough my colleagues,friends, family and all Kenyans for their prayers and get well wishes that kept me strong for the period I was undergoing treatment ” said Stazo.
Despite what Stazo calls “a minor setback” he sys that he remains strong and unbowed. The near death encounter was just a small price to pay in persuit of freedom and better lives for Kenyans.
“I remain strong, and unbowed, Infact this baptism has made me even stronger and I will forever remain committed to the course of justice, freedom and better lives for Kenyans. I draw lots of inspiration from Baba Raila Odinga who despite his many years in detention under very inhumane conditions, he has remained true to the course.Infact he is even stronger than he was some 30 years ago.” added Stazo.
Asked whether he harbours any grudge against his assailants, the ODM youths leader said he had no time in his heart to carry grudges.
“Those who were were assaulting and torturing me are fellow Kenyans who are in a very bad prison. Hating them will mean glorifying their wicked and unconstitutional acts. I have forgiven them whoever they are but draw their attention to the fact that Kenyans gave themselves a constitution which must be respected. Nobody can unilaterally suspend Article 37 and visit terror on unarmed citizens. I also wish to join fellow Kenyans in condoling with the families of those who lost their lives as a result of the terror visited upon them by the police. I also want to wish those recuperating in hospitals and at home a quick recovery. Aluta continua!!” Concluded Stazo.
Hon Stazo Elijah Omung’ala is the MCA Upper Savanna, Nairobi county deputy majority whip and ODM youths leader.
